Live-action Lilo & Stitch star Maia Kealoha is attached to lead Stolen Wishes, a new Disney live-action film from writer-director Joe Nussbaum. Details of the story and additional casting have not yet been announced.
Nussbaum will write and direct the project for Disney Live Action. Allen Fischer is producing through Artists First, with Amalea Chininis serving as executive producer. Disney representatives declined to comment on the reported project.
Kealoha made her feature debut as Lilo Pelekai in Dean Fleischer Camp’s live-action adaptation of Lilo & Stitch, a role that established the young Hawaiian actor as one of Disney’s prominent new stars. The film surpassed $1 billion worldwide following its release last year.
She is expected to return as Lilo in Lilo & Stitch 2, scheduled for theatrical release on May 26, 2028. Chris Sanders, who co-wrote and co-directed the original 2002 animated film, is directing the sequel.
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Kealoha also appeared opposite Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa in Prime Video’s buddy action comedy The Wrecking Crew.
Nussbaum is an Emmy-nominated executive producer and director best known for Amazon’s Just Add Magic. His background includes extensive work in family and youth-oriented entertainment, with credits spanning Disney Channel projects and a long run directing the award-winning series Awkward.
His earlier directing work includes Sleepover, Sydney White, American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile, and Prom, following his debut with the short film George Lucas in Love.
Stolen Wishes gives Kealoha another high-profile Disney project as she builds on the success of live-action Lilo & Stitch and prepares to reprise her signature role in the upcoming sequel.
